NOM Returns to Pa. to Urge Corbett to Reverse Decision on Marriage Appeal

After suffering recent defeats on statewide gay marriage bans in Oregon and Pennsylvania, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is setting its sights again on the Keystone State in a last ditch attempt to persuade Governor Tom Corbett (R) to reverse his decision not to appeal the district court's ruling striking down Pennsylvania's marriage ban.

A message on NOM's blog tiled "Renew the Push" posted by president Brian Brown is calling for Pennsylvanians to contact Gov. Corbett and their state representatives:

"Take the time today to join our friends at the Pennsylvania Pastors' Network in urging support for resolutions spearheaded by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R.-Butler) in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Sen. John Eichelberger (R.-Hollidaysburg) in the Senate calling for the Corbett Administration to appeal the recent court decision that invalidated Pennsylvania's Defense of Marriage Act. ..

Time is running out. Please send an email today to Governor Corbett and the legislature urging him to appeal this horrendous ruling. The Governor still can intervene - he has 30 days from May 20th to file the state's appeal."

NOM's last-gasp plea to Pennsylvanians comes in the wake of last month's decision by Gov. Tom Corbett not to appeal the state's marriage ban.

"The case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal," Corbett said in a statement. "Therefore, after review of the opinion and on the advice of my commonwealth legal team, I have decided not to appeal."

In May, U.S. District Court Judge John Jones III struck down the state's 18-year ban on same-sex marriage, calling it unconstitutional.

As reported by the Associated Press, Corbett's decision goes against the Republican governor's political beliefs. He opposes same-sex marriage and supported thus-far unsuccessful efforts to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage.??

"As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not wavered," Corbett said. "I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. My duties as governor require that I follow the laws as interpreted by the courts and make a judgment as to the likelihood of a successful appeal."?

Same-sex couples in Pennsylvania clamored for marriage licenses after a judge ruled to allow the state to join the rest of the Northeast in legalizing gay weddings, with Philadelphia offices staying open late to handle a rush of applications.